The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.

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Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Female, 2014

Audie Award Finalist, Biography/Memoir, 2014

The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.

Here is the story of a precarious childhood, with an alcoholic father (who would die when she was nine) and a devoted but overburdened mother, and of the refuge a little girl took from the turmoil at home with her passionately spirited paternal grandmother. But it was when she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes that the precocious Sonia recognized she must ultimately depend on herself. She would learn to give herself the insulin shots she needed to survive and soon imagined a path to a different life. With only television characters for her professional role models, and little understanding of what was involved, she determined to become a lawyer, a dream that would sustain her on an unlikely course, from valedictorian of her high school class to the highest honors at Princeton, Yale Law School, the New York County District Attorney’s office, private practice, and appointment to the Federal District Court before the age of 40. Along the way we see how she was shaped by her invaluable mentors, a failed marriage, and the modern version of extended family she has created from cherished friends and their children. Through her still-astonished eyes, America’s infinite possibilities are envisioned anew in this warm and honest book, destined to become a classic of self-invention and self-discovery.

Her humanity. Ms. Sotomayer opened herself up with an unflinching candor with the dialog of her life and all it contains for the reader to share her journey, which is truly remarkable. The book navigates the reader through her early childhood, her family, friends, co-workers, and loves unashamedly revealing a story of courage, tenacity and compassion.My eyes were full of tears of joy when, only too soon, her book was done. I wished she were standing in front of me so that I could have hugged her and told her how much I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of listening to her memoir.From her own introduction to Rita Moreno's narration, the "sound" of her story was perfectly in sync with her experiences, taking the reader through an emotional and intellectual experience that hasn't happened to me in a long time.I am a reader of non-fiction primarily and historical figures specifically. My membership permits me to read 2 books a month and I do this with regularity. Some book are informative, some entertaining and some boring, not because the lives of the people were boring, but because there was an imbalance between the message and the delivery.This book has it all. It is rich in personal history and anecdotes, as well as surprises. Ms. Sotomayer is not only a successful attorney and judge. She is, or could have been, a successful psychologist, mentor, teacher, daughter, and family member. Her story and the way in which she has written it demonstrates a humble and grateful brilliant human being. The book is a wonderfully inspirational story for any woman and I am happily buying copies to send to my daughters and granddaughters. Thank you, Ms. Sotomayer for sharing.

What did you like best about this story?

The combination of early life recollections of family and experiences with her life as she moves up the educational ladder eventually to reach her position on the Supreme Court of the United States. She has amazing recollections of incidents and her dialog is never wordy or boring.

What about Rita Moreno’s performance did you like?

I think she loved the story herself because she tells it with the inflections and emotions it deserves. With a different narrator it could have lost a great deal of the excitement it had. Rita Moreno does a superb job of narration. The message of this book is inspiring and is meant as thus. That is why the narration cannot falter or the story can be diminished.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it over a period of 2 days. I rarely read a book so quickly but it grabbed my attention right from the beginning and didn't let me go until the end.

Any additional comments?

I can say that even though the book was written by an intellectual it was NEVER over my head. The legal-speak was explained and easily understood. And I was always brought back to the main event, the wonderful story of Ms. Sotomayer's life.

I listened to this book in one sitting. It is well written and covers Sotomayor life from childhood to when she is first appointed to the bench. It appears to be as honest as one can be telling her own story. She notes that as a child she inspired to become a lawyer by Robert Kennedy and then saw how the actions of Judges during the Civil Rights battles in the south had major effect on the country, so she then wanted to become a Judge. I was empressed at her ability to concentrate on whatever she was doing. I also noted she pointed out that when in school she felt overhelmed by an assignment or what she had to learn, she broke it down into section and worked her way through section by section. I also noted that in every situation she was in, or person she met, she said to herself what can I learn from this situation or person. I think that is a great attitude. I think that she was open with the reader about the challange she had as a child and an adult living with type 1 diabetes. This could be helpful to other people with chronic diseases. I think it was interesting that in her 30's she stepped back and looked at herself and then set to work on improving her people skills and interaction with family and friend. Not many people will take a hard look at their self and then set about improving their weak areas.. She also stopped smoking and worked on her health and exercise. She got to University and law school on academic scholarships and worked hard to excell at her studies. Instead of going into a large law firm she went to the NY city D.A.'s office to work. She obtained a great deal of trial experice on this job. She also got civil law experience in tradmark work and international law. She also points out how much she learned by serving boards and volunteering with non profit organization. I was impressed with her ability and attitude toward life as well as her intelligents I came into this book neutral and have come away a fan. I will now read all that will become available about Sotomayor.

I really liked getting to know Justice Sotomayor a little. Her life is, and has been, very interesting. She managed to overcome a lot of obstacles a lesser person might have collapsed under. She is tremendously hard working and learned early to recognize her shortcomings and limitations and figure out a way to overcome them. Unlike many very successful people, she doesn't seem invested in being right all the time and therefore she sees what needs to be fixed and usually finds out a way to fix it.

The only reason I gave the performance a four star review instead of five is because I really liked hearing Justice Sotomayor's New York accent when she read the prologue. It sounded so earthy and real. Rita Moreno was good, but I wish she had used that New York accent instead of a neutral American accent.

Absolutely loved this book. I actually clapped when the audio was over. Not a political book at all, this is the ultimate Bronx / legal version of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and "The Glass Castle." I want to read more books like this. Thank you Judge for writing it. I hope that men will also read it, I've asked my husband to - no pressure there, babe! Also, the narration was so perfect, and comforting, just love Rita Moreno, very fitting that she read this.

If you could sum up My Beloved World in three words, what would they be?

inspirational interesting story

What did you like best about this story?

I loved learning more about this important person in American society - how she grew up and through self determination became a very successful person in a society that was pretty hostile to her in her early years.

Did Rita Moreno do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

She did a pretty good job but there were obvious places - a lot of them - where there were retakes of a sentence or so and you could totally tell that one was recorded out of sync with the other.

If you could sum up My Beloved World in three words, what would they be?

Inspirational, wonderful, motivational Read a previous review that this book was "self-serving" so not true...great stories, heartfelt and I want all my great-nieces/nephews to read this book. We need more of these stories! As a hispanic women growing up during the same time, though in a different place, I could relate to the many situations and challenges. I am happy Sonia got some (as little as it was) guidance on where to apply to college. Life is a fine line. So very proud that Ms Sotomayor is a person to admire. Thank you for sharing your story.

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